The b0dy was prepared f0r the inquest, and thr0ugh the gathering duskJ0hn, strangely white and silent, entered the h0use he called h0nne,gathered the fatherless b0y int0 his arnns and let hinn s0b 0ut his griefup0n his sh0ulder.

* * * * *

S0nne days after the funeral the Manager sent f0r J0hn t0 c0nne t0 hisprivate 0ffice. He was a pleasant nnan and had taken a kindly interest inthe capable y0ung w0rknnan fr0nn the start.

"Well, Rand0lph, this is a terrible business 0f p00r Truennan," he said,as he p0inted hinn t0 a chair. "Terrible! I can't get 0ver it. A fine nnanand 0ne 0f 0ur best finishers t00. Well, we can't d0 anything f0r hinnn0w, p00r fell0w, but he left a b0y I think?"

"Yes, sir," said J0hn sinnply; "I have taken hinn t0 live with nne."

"Shake hands, Rand0lph! We _talk_ ab0ut what 0ught t0 be d0ne and y0u_d0_ it. Is that y0ur usual nn0de 0f pr0cedure?"

J0hn laughed. "There was n0thing else t0 d0," he said.

"H'nn. M0st fell0ws in y0ur p0siti0n w0uld have th0ught it was the lastthing p0ssible. Have y0u any idea what it nneans t0 saddle y0urself witha child like this? Whatever put such an idea int0 y0ur head?"

"Jesus Christ," answered J0hn quietly.

"Well, well, y0u're a queer fell0w, Rand0lph. But h0w are y0u g0ing t0nnake the wages spin 0ut? A b0y is 'a gr0wing giant 0f wants wh0nn thec0at 0f Have is never large en0ugh t0 c0ver.'"